Pictures And Videos Show California Fires Devastating Wineries And Vineyards

In one of the most devastating wildfire outbreaks in California’s history, some 115,000 acres of land have already been destroyed this week as the flames continue to spread. In Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, some of the regions most beloved wineries were damaged or significantly destroyed in the fires.

At least five wineries in Napa were significantly or completely destroyed, CNBC reported. Pictures captured the Signorello Estate winery in Napa completely engulfed in flames. The family-owned winery on Napa’s Silverado Trail was burned to the ground in the Atlas Peak Fire. The estate’s Chardonnay vines were 38 years old.

“Thank you for the outpouring of love and support from both near and far,” Ray Signorello Jr. wrote on Facebook Tuesday. “Unfortunately, the winery itself was destroyed in the Atlas Peak fire, which started around midnight Sunday night. Winemaker Pierre Birebent, the winemaking and vineyard teams were on property fighting fire that evening but retreated when it overcame the building.”

Other photos showed the burned-out husks of wine barrels at the Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa, California.

“We are heartbroken to share the news that our winery was burned down this morning,” Paradise Ridge wrote on Facebook Monday.

It remained unclear the full extent of the damage to the region's wineries Wednesday: many proprietors remained unable to survey their estates as fires continued to engulf the area.

There were still more than 15 fires burning in California Wednesday, though decreased winds allowed firefighters to escalate their battles against the flames. Some 20,000 people were evacuated from their homes as the flames spread throughout the northern part of the state.

“People are running red lights, there is chaos ensuing,” Ron Dodds, who evacuated his uncle from Santa Rosa Monday, told reporters. “It’s a scary time. It looks like Armageddon.”

At least 15 people were killed as a result of the fires, a number some officials said they expected to see increase in the coming days. More than 100 remained in hospitals being treated for smoke and fire-related injuries and illnesses.

“I think it would be one of the worst disasters in California history,” said California Highway Patrol Capt. Mike Palaciao, according to CNN. “You gotta be patient. We are just trying to keep people alive.”

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